18th June 2023

Review: “Speed Metal Terrorist” by Maniak

They say that one good turn deserves another so after their debut demo “Deathleicher” rearer it’s ugly head in January 2022, Swedish Old School Metal degenerates Maniak put their idle hands to a follow up. Mastered by Dan Swanö (Mordkaul, Napalm Ted, Buried Realm) the band envisaged bring back the sound of Belo Horizonte circa 1985 mixed with the legendary German mid 80’s violent Speed Metal sound and leaning listeners torment by a whirlwind of Blackened Speed Metal…

A low budget horror film style introduction in “Ani Vomitus” sets the stage for the raw, primal intensity of the record, sounding like the demonic calling to the bowels of Hell and the torture chamber that awaits. It’s like the credit sequence during which you don’t know whether to switch off mortified or continue on intrigued whole gripping the pillow tight. That makes wat for the title track, instantly recognisable as the kind of material that served as classic tape trading fodder back in the early 80’s. Unlike the recorded on a potato in a cave demos of Black Metal, this one sounds like a couple of cheap microphones in a rehearsal space while the band play live from the floor, the drum sound perhaps suffering the most. That being said, it has plenty of nostalgic charm and gives a flavour of what the band are capable of given the opportunity to use a proper studio. The vocals are caustic over ranging guitars, the solo warm rather than ripping but the intensity is all there. “Nocturnal Hellfire” conjures forth another bloodcurdling vocal performance of pure venomus hatred, the “Kill ’em All” era Metallica moments in the riffage standing out like a hammer smashed thumb but good fun none the less. An eccletic solo is an interesting moment, not providing the scoring qualities but instead going in another direction before the impromptu church burning that is “Filthy Christians“. Something distinctly blasphemous was always on the tarot cards given the cover art and here the band begin to approach feral in their performances, the solo this time having far more impact. As scolding and intense as the heat from the band on this one is, it lacks a little bit of something to really drive the nails into the coffin lid and ensure the victim can not escape. Fortunately the band make up for that with the skull crushing that is “Total Blitzkrieg” during which their is finally the face melting solo that their rhythmic pummelling deserves. The old school torch is burning brightly with Maniak, it’s going to be really interesting to here where they go from here… [7/10]

Track Listing